In the July/August 2012 issue of Imprimis, put out by Hillsdale College, economist and author John Steele Gordon shared five "Economic Lessons from American History." It is a fascinating read, but this is not a review of it. Near the end of the article, Gordon makes a point about what financial markets call a "strike of capital." In stressing that the stock market hates uncertainty (what financial policies and decisions government will make), corporations engage in a "strike of capital." Companies have plenty of money and are making a profit, but they are unwilling to invest it until they have a clearer picture about taxes, government control, and the like. It makes perfect sense, though in the process it can impact prices, job availability, growth, and any number of related factors (Vol. 41, Nos. 7/8, 7).

While in economics this can be a prudent thing to do, it is never what God wants us to do spiritually. What is the church's capital? Certainly, it is everything God gives in spiritual and material terms (cf. Eph. 1:3; Js. 1:17), but it inevitably includes the people who make up the church. So, what is the Christian's capital? Essentially, it is his or her time, interest, money, ability, and anything else over which God has made him or her a steward. Since God's government and plan is always perfect, none of us ever has a right or reason to engage in a "strike of capital." We are nothing and can do nothing without Him, who gives us everything that we have in terms of our personal "capital." When we consider that we are to use everything to advance His cause and glorify His name, we must continually invest accordingly (cf. Mat. 6:19-21).

Could it ever be that, without consciously doing so, we are engaging in a "strike of capital"? What we are talking about goes beyond crashes, bulls, or bears. We are talking about eternal accountability! God has us here to do His business. Let us put that "capital" to use!